The Heritage of the Brahmans
It is said that long ago, in the childhood of the world, the senses were so fine that we could… Read More »The Heritage of the Brahmans
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Articles from various theosophical authors.
A Few Questions to “Hiraf ”
Among the numerous sciences pursued by the well-disciplined army of earnest students of the present century, none has had less… Read More »A Few Questions to “Hiraf ”
The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
[Note: the following was meant by Mr. Crosbie to be a continuation of the Notes on Chapters 1-7 by W.… Read More »The Bhagavad-Gita [Notes, Chapters 8-18]
The History of a Planet
No star, among the countless myriads that twinkle over the sidereal fields of the night sky, shines so dazzlingly as… Read More »The History of a Planet
The Tree of Life
“Rooted above, with branches downwards, stands the immemorial Tree of Life. This, verily, is called the Shining, the Eternal, the… Read More »The Tree of Life
Occultism: What is it?
Not only in the Theosophical Society, but out of it, are tyros in Occultism. They are dabblers in a fine… Read More »Occultism: What is it?
The Mahatmas as Ideals and Facts
A visitor from one of the other planets of the solar system who might learn the term Mahatma after arriving… Read More »The Mahatmas as Ideals and Facts
The Dual Aspect of Wisdom
“No doubt but ye are the people and wisdom shall die with you.”—JOB xii. 2. “But wisdom is justified of… Read More »The Dual Aspect of Wisdom
The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
Since the exposition of the Arhat esoteric doctrine was begun, many who had not acquainted themselves with the occult basis… Read More »The Septenary Principle in Esotericism
Uncomfortable Brothers
“To freedom you are called, Brothers!—only that your freedom be not a pretext for the flesh. But serve each other… Read More »Uncomfortable Brothers
The Arya Samaj
Madame Blavatsky Narrates the History of the Brahmo-Samaj and the Ârya-Samâj.—The Conflict of Faiths in India.—Why the Theosophists Now Receive… Read More »The Arya Samaj
A Hundred Years Ago
I. Here is a curious old book, duskily venerable in paper and binding outworn in the fashion of the German,… Read More »A Hundred Years Ago
The Cycle Moveth
Let the great world spin for ever down the ringing grooves of change.—TENNYSON The goal of yesterday will be the… Read More »The Cycle Moveth
A Memory of Madame Blavatsky
The first and earliest impression I received from Madame Blavatsky was the feeling of the power and largeness of her… Read More »A Memory of Madame Blavatsky
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu (or Laozi), an honorific title meaning “Old Sage” or “Ancient Master,” is the name used to indicate the… Read More »Lao Tzu
Theosophy (Lecture)
It may be asked how the single word, Theosophy, can stand as the title of a lecture. It is because… Read More »Theosophy (Lecture)
The Sevenfold Division
MR. Sinnett’s book Esoteric Buddhism has done a great deal towards bringing before the West the Eastern philosophy regarding man… Read More »The Sevenfold Division
The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
“Hail, holy light, offspring of Heaven first-born. Or of the Eternal co-eternal beam. . . . . . . Since God is light Bright effluence… Read More »The Devil’s Own: Thoughts on Ormuzd and Ahriman
The Seven Dwipas
I. It is the opinion of many at the present day that the almost grotesque myths and fantastic geographical and… Read More »The Seven Dwipas
The Abstract Algebraical Formula
The history of cosmic evolution, as traced in the Stanzas [of Dzyan], is, so to say, the abstract algebraical formula… Read More »The Abstract Algebraical Formula
Occult Knowledge
Occult Knowledge means knowledge which is “hidden,” but it also means knowledge which is known. If it is knowledge that… Read More »Occult Knowledge
The Esoteric Character of the Gospels
Part I “. . . . Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of… Read More »The Esoteric Character of the Gospels
The Origin of Evil
The problem of the origin of evil can be philosophically approached only if the archaic Indian formula is taken as… Read More »The Origin of Evil
The Adepts in America in 1776
The following suggestions and statements are made entirely upon the personal responsibility of the writer, and without the knowledge or… Read More »The Adepts in America in 1776
Exploring Isis Unveiled
Volume 1 Part 1: Do flying guitars unconsciously cerebrate? Blavatsky’s Isis Unveiled was tremendously well-received at the time, an instant… Read More »Exploring Isis Unveiled
Thoughts on Karma
Every day in life we see people overtaken by circumstances either good or bad and coming in blocks all at… Read More »Thoughts on Karma
Details of Discipline
We have considered some of the rules which the Buddha laid down for his followers [see “Discipline for Disciples”]. We… Read More »Details of Discipline
A German Mystic’s Teachings
In the last three numbers of the Path we have given a story by the German Mystic Kernning of the… Read More »A German Mystic’s Teachings
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
Many students, in their search for light, find divers problems presented to them for solution; questions so puzzling from the… Read More »Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
The Inner Constitution of Man
“We are such stuff as dreams are made of.“—Shakespeare “Have perseverance as one who doth for evermore endure, for thy… Read More »The Inner Constitution of Man
The Buddha’s Life
We first heard of Buddhism, it may almost be said, through the works of Brian Houghton Hodgson, and his explorations… Read More »The Buddha’s Life
The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
The division of the Zodiac into different signs dates from immemorial antiquity. It has acquired a world-wide celebrity and is… Read More »The Twelve Signs of the Zodiac
The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
“A certain woman lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee. . .… Read More »The Dogma of the Virgin Birth
The Akhund of Swat
Madame Blavatsky’s Dramatic Word-Painting and Graphic Description of Abdul Ghafur’s Remarkable And Eventful Career—Antagonism of the Sikhs to the Modern… Read More »The Akhund of Swat
Hit the Mark
“Having taken the bow, the great weapon, let him place on it the arrow, sharpened by devotion. Then, having drawn… Read More »Hit the Mark
Traces of India in Ancient Egypt
“Who is the God to whom we shall offer worship? He whose shadow is Immortality!”—Rig Veda. “The Egyptians are the… Read More »Traces of India in Ancient Egypt
An Old Book and a New One
The nineteenth century is the century of struggle and strife, par excellence; of religious, political, social, and philosophical conflict. The… Read More »An Old Book and a New One
The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
In Light (of February 11) “C. C. M.,” in the article “Communicating Spirits,” says the following:— “It will thus be… Read More »The Present Great Need of a Metaphysico-Spiritual Vocabulary
Spiritual Progress
Christina Rossetti’s well-known lines: “Does the road wind up-hill all the way? Yes, to the very end. Does the journey… Read More »Spiritual Progress
The Science of Magic
Happening to be on a visit to Ithaca, where spiritual papers in general, and the Banner of Light in particular, are very… Read More »The Science of Magic
A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus
Section I The great obscurity and uncertainty in which the history of Orpheus is involved, affords very little matter for… Read More »A Dissertation on the Life and Theology of Orpheus
Authorship of Secret Doctrine
A good deal has been said about the writing of Isis Unveiled, and later of the Secret Doctrine, both by… Read More »Authorship of Secret Doctrine
William Quan Judge
There are events common to human life, events small and inconsiderable in seeming, which, in their ulterior development and under… Read More »William Quan Judge
A Bengal Bazaar
India is a ruin, beautiful only by moonlight; and, like a ruined temple, old India’s beauties dwell no longer in… Read More »A Bengal Bazaar
A Drama of the Great Initiation
Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound was completed, so far as the essential part of it is concerned, on April 6, 1819—that is,… Read More »A Drama of the Great Initiation
Devachan
A letter to the editor from Holland upon this subject deserves reply, as is must give utterance to the questions… Read More »Devachan
“Emerson and Occultism.”
“’Tis thus at the roaring Loom of Time I ply, And weave for God the garment thou seest Him by.”… Read More »“Emerson and Occultism.”
Louis Claude de Saint-Martin
The little town of Amboise in Touraine is redolent with memories. There, in the fourth century, Saint Martin, patron of… Read More »Louis Claude de Saint-Martin